Amid a string of injuries at wide receiver, the New York Jets have signed wideout Brandon Smith from their practice squad to the active roster.
For the second week in a row, the team’s No. 1 pass catcher, Garrett Wilson, will be sidelined due to a knee injury, while the Jets announced that they have placed their wide receiver No. 2, Josh Reynolds, on injured reserve, prompting him to miss a minimum of four games.
Smith, 26, has spent the past two seasons in New York, spending last year on the team’s practice squad after falling just short of making the final roster.
The Iowa product once again impressed during the 2025 preseason, leading New York in catches (10) and finishing second in receiving yards (113). Still, his strong showing wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
Known for his reliable hands, Smith caught 10 of 12 targets during the Jets’ three preseason games over the summer.
The Jets elevated Smith for their Week 6 matchup in London against the Denver Broncos, where he played just 12 special-teams snaps, earning a stellar 74.1 special-teams grade from Pro Football Focus.
With both Wilson and Reynolds sidelined, Smith suddenly finds himself in a prime position to show what he can do on offense.
After two straight strong preseasons and years of waiting for a fair opportunity to prove himself in the NFL, the 26-year-old finally has a chance to prove he belongs on Gang Green’s depth chart.